Spinal Stenosis and Your Car Accident
Spinal stenosis is a type of degenerative spinal column injury. It is characterized by a narrowing of the channel which the spinal cord runs through. As this channel narrows, it can put pressure on the spinal cord, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness. Spinal stenosis almost always gets worse over time if you do not do anything to treat it.
Although stenosis can arise with age, a traumatic accident might also be to blame. Accident victims should contact Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys to discuss any diagnosis or pain they are feeling. We can analyze whether you can submit an injury claim against a negligent driver.
Spinal Stenosis is a Disabling Injury
Car accidents victims can develop spinal stenosis in many ways. They might crack or shatter vertebrae in the spine. Once the bones heal, they narrow the canal space. Accidents can also damage ligaments in the spinal column which become thicker and therefore take up more space.
Other people develop spinal stenosis due to a bulging disc in between the vertebrae. This disc can press into the canal where the spinal cord travels. In short, many different injuries can end up causing spinal stenosis in car accident victims.
The symptoms will depend on the location of the injury. If you suffer stenosis in the neck, then a loss of balance, headaches, and weakness in your arms or hands are common. Spinal stenosis in the lower back often manifests as numbness or tingling in the legs or buttocks, pain in the lower back, leg cramping, and difficulty standing.
A doctor usually diagnoses spinal stenosis with an x-ray or MRI to see what is pressing on the spinal cord. Physical therapy and oral medications can help with symptoms and might be all that a patient needs for a minor case of spinal stenosis. But the condition can progressively worsen to the point that surgery is necessary to open the canal and reduce pain.
Coordinate with an experienced lawyer who can help build a claim for a car accident. Our firm will review all medical records and develop a plan for obtaining the maximum compensation available. We can argue your pain is seriously undermining your quality of life. We can also request compensation for economic losses, such as lost income and medical care.
Connect with a Spinal Injury Lawyer Today
Accident victims struggle with many limitations after an accident. In addition to pain, they might feel pressured into accepting a small settlement when their injuries are significant. Without a lawyer, some victims meekly agree to the first offer and therefore fail to get the compensation they deserve.
Contact our law firm to speak with an experienced Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer. Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys has negotiated settlements for those in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Upstate South Carolina. We credit decades of experience for allowing us to win large settlements for those struggling with significant spinal cord or brain injuries. Our consultations are free, so there is no reason not to call us today.
Source:
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17499-spinal-stenosis